When I think about the house where this {the blog} started, all I can picture is the massive garden we had there. But before I get ahead of myself, let’s go back to how we ended up moving to that house.
We were living in Puyallup at the time and Chino the Handyman and his family were just beginning to build a new development out in Gig Harbor. The lot sizes this time, were around 1.25 acres {some lots were even larger} and my husband’s job had just transferred locations so putting our house up for sale and moving, seemed like a really good idea at the time. It was at the height of the housing boom and we ended up getting top dollar for our home and so “moving on up” seemed like a really good idea at the time.
What we should of done {and I’m pretty sure ANYONE who bought a home at the height of the market would agree} was sell our house, put the money in the bank, rent for 2-3 years until the market hit rock bottom AND THEN build/buy a new house. But you know, we all sorta thought housing prices would continue to grow, grow, grow… so we had Chino and his family build us a house. Lesson learned.
Yada yada yada, I remember moving in around Mother’s day and hurrying to get the house unpacked so I could get tomato plants in the ground before it was too late. And about a week after I got the tomato plants in the ground, a deer came along and ate the plants down to little nubs.
So naturally, my campaign for my husband to build me a fence went into high gear. He protested saying her NEVER wanted to build another fence again but in the end, he gave in. This time around though we paid someone to dig and set all the fence pots around the property and my husband did all the rest. Including the gates and arbors. Oh how I LOVED that arbor!!!
The first year we were there, we had a massive snowstorm and since the neighborhood was on a huge hill, the kids got some serious sledding in that winter.
Looking back, although we took a big hit when we went to sell that property, I don’t think I’d trade it for anything. The kids ABSOLUTELY loved exploring and playing outside, swinging in their hammocks, digging holes, visiting with the chickens, clearing brush {and the bon fires that followed} were even fun.
It’s also the house where I started this blog. Had I not decided to plant a big garden, I wouldn’t have been online researching plants and gardening techniques. Up until that point the only thing I used the computer for was email and buying and selling my hooked rugs and stitchery pillows on ebay. I didn’t even know what a blog was {or why anyone would want to share such personal information about themselves for Pete’s sake} until my husband suggested I look online and see what I could do to deter deer from coming in our yard {probably as stalling tactic so he wouldn’t have to build a fence}.
Up until that point, all my information came from checking out books from the library. But once I figured out I could use the internet for more than just ebay and email…. Whoa Nelly, things started to look a little different at our house.
Suddenly there were plant starts in every window and I had even taken over the kitchen table and counter tops with growing medium and potting trays. My poor husband, he thought I had lost my mind.
And then one day Chino mentioned he had some extra boards I could have… and well, one garden box lead to another and then all the sudden we had 16 raised garden boxes installed along the side of our house and I was spending all day, everyday outside.
And by the next spring a greenhouse was ordered.
And then there was that whole gnome thing…
And Evening Magazine stopped by.
And as the kids grew, the crazyness just continued.
There were team parties and pasta feeds, cupcake baking, and neighborhood Christmas parties, Easter egg hunts down at the neighborhood park and so on. At that stage in our lives {middle school, high school, and my insane love affair with gardening} that house was the perfect fit.
I had the BEST neighbors and having their kids over to pick berries or collect eggs or share the extra produce was a total blast.
And then all the sudden {near the time The Girl was getting ready to head off to college} the house started to feel really overwhelming to us. Because really, what were we going to do with all that space once the kids left? So after a whopping 8 years there {and the longest we had ever lived anywhere} we decided to put the house up for sale, downsize and move on.
And that’s exactly what we did. And you know what? It was the right decision. Things change. People change, and it was just time to move on.
If I’ve learned one thing over the years, it’s always, ALWAYS go with your gut. You might be scared and nervous to make that big change, but when you know, you know.
Tomorrow… the HOA house. 😉
~Mavis
More stories in this series:
- The First Apartment
- The First Mobile Home
- The First House
- The First Home in a Suburban Development
- The House with the Hardwood Floors
- The First House We Built
- The House Where This All Started
- The HOA House
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Carrie says
How many square feet was this house? Just wondering what you consider “too much space”. I love these stories btw!
I bought my first home just over two years ago. It’s 1200 sq ft, 3 bedroom and 1 bath and a smidgen too big for 2 adults and 1 dog. I’d trade a bedroom for a second bath for guests but I love my little bungalow and can’t imagine moving at this point!
Stephanie says
I relate, I bought my first home almost 2 years ago now and it’s 2100 sq ft, 2 bed, 1 bath up and a nearly same sized suite down (except I have an addition over the garage that acts as a sun room giving me extra space). The first couple months it seemed huge because it’s just me (and eventually a renter downstairs who has since been evicted). Now I wish I had one more bedroom and one more bathroom, but I have the suite downstairs partially available so it’s OK (vacation rental now). I don’t know what I’d do though if I took out the half kitchen downstairs and used that space… oh and my yard is obscene, I hate taking care of plants that don’t make food, and that’s like all there is.
Helen in Meridian says
I still cherish the gnomes you dropped by my front yard…and freaked the young neighborhood girls across the street…who had come find out what happened. They appear every spring and love it here.
Nancy D says
I began following your blog when I googled “couponing”…is this the home where you lived during your couponing days?
Kelly F from Oregon says
*sigh* I am just LOVING these stories! Cannot WAIT for the HOA house story tomorrow!
Amy says
Ditto!!
Laura says
Trying to figure out why you took a hit when you sold this house? It feels like things had picked up value-wise by the time you moved to the HOA house. We are on the Eastside (near your parents) and it feels like each month things get crazily more expensive. Would be curious to know more if you are willing to share.
Marcia says
I think it really depends on when she bought the house. I can’t speak for your local economy, but…if they’ve been in the HOA house for…2 years? 3 years? And they lived in this house for 8 years, that means you are rolling back 11+ years.
My local housing market peaked in 2006. So, as an example, houses my size in my ‘hood:
2002: $580k
2004: $790k
2006 $860k
2011: $500k
2012: $575k
2014: $650k
2017: $775-800k
(Bear with me here, it’s California, and these houses are very small and very old.)
So, someone who bought their home in 2004 was pretty much underwater very quickly. And stayed there. Forever. If they sold this year they MIGHT have sold it for what they paid for it, but doubtful unless they put a lot of money into it.
When you buy at the peak? It sucks. My neighbors are the unlucky folks who paid $860k in 2006 and went through foreclosure in 2011. The new neighbor is the lucky one who picked it up for $575k.
Ellen in Clackamas says
I started following your blog when the gnomes were in residence (even sent a few to you). One of my friends who lives in Shelton saw your story about the gnomes and knew I had quite a few in my little garden and knew I would love to hear your stories. And I did! And still do!!! Every day I look forward to hearing of your garden and goals and recipes and stories and of course Lucy!!! Hope the next move fills your heart with joy. Can’t wait to hear about it (and the HOA stories)
Marcia says
Hindsight is 20/20. Bummer that we bought when we did, but oh well, can’t change it now!
Mama Cook says
I have loved reading all of the stories as well…but this house is the one that I needed to hear..or maybe just the “no regrets” attitude! Today I set off to the old ‘hood to run my 93 yo (former) neighbor to the bank and shopping. Seeing our old house brought back a bit of nostalgia…Christmas lights are still hanging…tree is where I used to put it… And no one is caring for our previous neighbor (not that she’d let them)! 🙁 For one fraction of a second I felt like I “missed home”.
Thank you for writing these stories with all of their realities! Thanks for living with a “no regrets” attitude and sharing with all of us!
No time to sit here and mope…I’ve got goals to write, gardens to plan, land to clear, brush fires (and hopefully calories) to burn!
PS – To readers who are viewing on a phone or tablet…the bigger screen of a computer makes the pictures so much more fun! (I just happened upon that today!!!) 🙂
Gina says
Thank you for showing us your personal stories of your homes. I love getting to see a deeper side of who you are and where you came from and your thoughts about each move. It’s really wonderful.
SandyF says
Enjoying your stories-and have been following you for years now, probably pretty close to your beginning. Love it, love the recipes, love your real, down to earth, pragmatic outlook. I also enjoy all the other comments,and stories of your readers.
We have owned homes and moved up(in 40 years) only 3 times-each keeping our house payment about the same-just adding to the down payment with the increased equity of the last house sale. We are now at the point after 20 years in the current house-where we could sell and pay cash for the next one. Only if we downsize, or move out of the area. Crazy CA prices!! Cannot wait to hear about your next forever move. Retirement? Out of state? East Coast? You have us all wondering. Stay tuned…
MeanJean says
What are these gnomes you speak of?
Flamingos at HOA house….hmmm what’s in store for the East Coast house?
Will we find out? I’m hoping!
Love the blog!
Jr says
Jan 31 we downsize from 3000 sq ft (5bed/5 bath) to 1350 sq ft (3 bed/1 bath). 4/7 of our kids are out of the house but it will still be quite an adjustment, esp for our remaining kids. Can’t wait to hear the rest of the story!